Head to head

Nordlys vs QX MAX (2026)

Compare purchase costs, running costs and the evidence behind each device.

Read the comparison overview

Purchase cost: The catalog lists $70k–$100k for QX MAX. No new-price range is on file for Nordlys. Check the source notes and request current quotes.
Practice fit: Nordlys: IPL/swt platform. QX MAX: q-switched tattoo/pigment. Check each model’s US regulatory status and labeled indications for your intended use.

Device A

IPL/SWT platform

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Device B

Q-Switched Tattoo/Pigment

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Price comparison

Price comparison: Candela Nordlys vs Fotona QX MAX
Attribute	Candela Nordlys	Fotona QX MAX
New price range	Not published	$70k–$100kSource not documented
Used price reference	$30k–$55kSource not documented	$20k–$40kSource not documented
Payback calculator	View ROI calculator	View ROI calculator
Next step

New price range

Candela Nordlys: Not published
Fotona QX MAX: $70k–$100kSource not documented

Used price reference

Candela Nordlys: $30k–$55kSource not documented
Fotona QX MAX: $20k–$40kSource not documented

Payback calculator

Candela Nordlys: View ROI calculator
Fotona QX MAX: View ROI calculator

Next step

Candela Nordlys

Fotona QX MAX

Supplies & running costs

Supplies & running costs: Candela Nordlys vs Fotona QX MAX
Attribute	Candela Nordlys	Fotona QX MAX
Supplies & restrictions	Supply pricing is not documented with a dated source yet. Request an itemized supply quote. View running-cost details	Supply details not yet documented. View running-cost details

Supplies & restrictions

Candela Nordlys: Supply pricing is not documented with a dated source yet. Request an itemized supply quote.
View running-cost details
Fotona QX MAX: Supply details not yet documented.
View running-cost details

FDA status & indications

FDA status & indications: Candela Nordlys vs Fotona QX MAX
Attribute	Candela Nordlys	Fotona QX MAX
FDA status & indication	FDA ClearedK161162, K192951, K212492 Read FDA indication wording “Ellipse Nordlys system is intended to be used in dermatology, as tabled below: • Permanent Hair Reduction (defined as the long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing when measured at 6, 9, and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regime) (overall 600-950nm). • Treatment of Telangiectasias (530-750nm or 555-950nm). • Treatment of Port Wine Stains (530-750nm or 555-950nm). • Treatment of Benign Pigmented Lesions (eg Mottled Pigmentation, Ephilides) and Benign Vascular Lesions (eg Diffuse Redness) (530-750nm or 555-950nm). • Treatment of Rosacea (530-750nm or 555-950nm). • Treatment of Poikiloderma of Civatte (530-750nm or 555-950nm). • Treatment of Benign Epidermal Pigmented Lesions (eg Lentigo Solaris) (400-720nm). • Treatment of Inflammatory Acne Vulgaris (530-750nm). Using Nd:YAG Laser, (1064 nm): • Treatment of Leg vessels (0.1 -3.0 mm diameter). • Treatment of Benign Vascular Lesions. • Treatment of Venous Lakes. • Treatment of Port Wine Stains. • Treatment for Clear Nail defined as: Temporary increase of clear nail in patients with onychomycosis (e.g., dermatophytes Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes, and/or yeasts Candida albicans, etc.). • Treatment of benign cutaneous lesions, such as warts. • Podiatry (ablation, vaporization, incision, excision, and coagulation of soft tissue), including: - Matrixectomy. - Periungal and subungal warts - Plantar warts. Using Frax 1550 Laser, (1550 nm): • The Frax 1550 nm laser is indicated for use in dermatological procedures requiring the coagulation of soft tissue, as well as for skin resurfacing procedures.”	FDA record cited — see scopeK053139 Record scope: K053139 names the earlier Fotona QX Nd:YAG/KTP Laser System and describes 532 nm and 1064 nm operation. It does not by itself establish the later QX MAX configuration or its optional 585/650 nm handpieces. The related K083889 family record includes those optional wavelengths, but exact-model linkage remains to be documented. Read FDA indication wording “1. Incision, excision, ablation, vaporization of soft tissue for general dermatology. 2. 532 nm wavelength: • removal of light ink (red, tan, purple, and orange) tattoos • removal of pigmented lesions • removal of vascular lesions • treatment of Lentigines • treatment of Cafe-Au-Lait • treatment of Common Nevi • treatment of Seborrheic Keratoses • treatment of Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation. 3. 1064 nm wavelength: • removal of dark ink (black, blue and brown) tattoos • treatment of Nevus of Ota • removal or lightening of unwanted hair • treatment of Common Nevi • skin resurfacing with or without adjuvant preparation”

FDA status & indication

Candela Nordlys: FDA ClearedK161162, K192951, K212492
Read FDA indication wording
“Ellipse Nordlys system is intended to be used in dermatology, as tabled below: • Permanent Hair Reduction (defined as the long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing when measured at 6, 9, and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regime) (overall 600-950nm). • Treatment of Telangiectasias (530-750nm or 555-950nm). • Treatment of Port Wine Stains (530-750nm or 555-950nm). • Treatment of Benign Pigmented Lesions (eg Mottled Pigmentation, Ephilides) and Benign Vascular Lesions (eg Diffuse Redness) (530-750nm or 555-950nm). • Treatment of Rosacea (530-750nm or 555-950nm). • Treatment of Poikiloderma of Civatte (530-750nm or 555-950nm). • Treatment of Benign Epidermal Pigmented Lesions (eg Lentigo Solaris) (400-720nm). • Treatment of Inflammatory Acne Vulgaris (530-750nm). Using Nd:YAG Laser, (1064 nm): • Treatment of Leg vessels (0.1 -3.0 mm diameter). • Treatment of Benign Vascular Lesions. • Treatment of Venous Lakes. • Treatment of Port Wine Stains. • Treatment for Clear Nail defined as: Temporary increase of clear nail in patients with onychomycosis (e.g., dermatophytes Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes, and/or yeasts Candida albicans, etc.). • Treatment of benign cutaneous lesions, such as warts. • Podiatry (ablation, vaporization, incision, excision, and coagulation of soft tissue), including: - Matrixectomy. - Periungal and subungal warts - Plantar warts. Using Frax 1550 Laser, (1550 nm): • The Frax 1550 nm laser is indicated for use in dermatological procedures requiring the coagulation of soft tissue, as well as for skin resurfacing procedures.”
Fotona QX MAX: FDA record cited — see scopeK053139
Record scope: K053139 names the earlier Fotona QX Nd:YAG/KTP Laser System and describes 532 nm and 1064 nm operation. It does not by itself establish the later QX MAX configuration or its optional 585/650 nm handpieces. The related K083889 family record includes those optional wavelengths, but exact-model linkage remains to be documented.
Read FDA indication wording
“1. Incision, excision, ablation, vaporization of soft tissue for general dermatology. 2. 532 nm wavelength: • removal of light ink (red, tan, purple, and orange) tattoos • removal of pigmented lesions • removal of vascular lesions • treatment of Lentigines • treatment of Cafe-Au-Lait • treatment of Common Nevi • treatment of Seborrheic Keratoses • treatment of Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation. 3. 1064 nm wavelength: • removal of dark ink (black, blue and brown) tattoos • treatment of Nevus of Ota • removal or lightening of unwanted hair • treatment of Common Nevi • skin resurfacing with or without adjuvant preparation”

Which chains run each

Which chains run each: Candela Nordlys vs Fotona QX MAX
Attribute	Candela Nordlys	Fotona QX MAX
Chain adoption	0 recorded pairings	0 recorded pairings
Chains using it	—	—
Approved reviews	0	0

Chain adoption

Candela Nordlys: 0 recorded pairings
Fotona QX MAX: 0 recorded pairings

Chains using it

Candela Nordlys: —
Fotona QX MAX: —

Approved reviews

Candela Nordlys: 0
Fotona QX MAX: 0

Specs and platform

Specs and platform: Candela Nordlys vs Fotona QX MAX
Attribute	Candela Nordlys	Fotona QX MAX
Manufacturer	Candela	Fotona
Built by (OEM)	Ellipse A/S	Fotona d.o.o.
Category	IPL/SWT platform	Q-Switched Tattoo/Pigment
Technology	SWT narrowband IPL + Nd:YAG + Frax (Nd:YAG)	QS Nd:YAG 532/585/650/1064nm (Nd:YAG)
Launch year	2014	2010
Status	Current	Current
Manufacturing relationship evidence	No separate manufacturing-relationship record linked.	No separate manufacturing-relationship record linked.

Manufacturer

Candela Nordlys: Candela
Fotona QX MAX: Fotona

Built by (OEM)

Candela Nordlys: Ellipse A/S
Fotona QX MAX: Fotona d.o.o.

Current alternatives

Current catalog models in related categories. Confirm availability and configuration with the supplier.

Alma-Q

Q-Switched Tattoo/Pigment

New-equipment price not yet documented.

Astanza Duality

Q-Switched Tattoo/Pigment

New-equipment price reference

$50k–$70k

Source not documented

Check the profile for configuration and price details.

Astanza Trinity

Q-Switched Tattoo/Pigment

New-equipment price reference

$100k–$130k

Source not documented

Check the profile for configuration and price details.

Cynosure RevLite SI

Q-Switched Tattoo/Pigment

New-equipment price not yet documented.

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